Neumann KH 80 Studio Monitor Review. Excellent Performance. Small Size.

Written review/data can be found here:

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Timestamps:
0:00 - Intro
2:31 - Subjective
7:24 - Objective
17:26 - Summary

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All of my tests are conducted using KLIPPEL Hardware and Software. KLIPPEL is an innovative leader in providing unique test equipment for electro-acoustical transducers and audio systems. Founded in 1997 by Dr. Wolfgang Klippel, the novel techniques developed for control and measurement systems of loudspeakers and other transducers are the result of over 30 years of fundamental research. This provides more accurate physical models of loudspeakers, micro-speakers and headphones valid for both small and large amplitudes. The focus is on revealing the root causes of signal distortion and defects and giving practical indications for improvements in design and manufacturing of audio products. For information on KLIPPEL products, please visit their site below:

[ErinsAudioCorner]

Support the cause:

A simple request: If any of you find yourselves shopping for anything sold by the retailers below please consider using my generic affiliate link. These can earn me a small commission which goes a long way toward helping me review items and make content. It is a great way you can help me continue doing what I enjoy doing without costing you anything extra. It is truly appreciated!


Purchases through these links can earn me a small commission - at no additional cost to you - and help me continue to provide the community with free content and reviews. Doesn't matter if it's a TV from Crutchfield, budget speakers from Audio Advice or a pair of socks from Amazon, just use the link above before you make your purchase. Thank you!

[syntheee]

I'm German and don't care how you proncounce it ... If you wanna try: Noi-Munn (the last part like nun but with an "m"). The content AND the speakers are excellent as expected. 🙂

[pioferro]

Perfect pronunciation of Neumann 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[methuenboy]

Thanks Erin, just the review I was looking for. You pretty much sunned up my exact experience with the KH80. I loved it's neutrality and compact size, I just wanted more bass extension, and didn't want to be limited to their Neumann 750 sub, which is quite expensive for what you get. I would absolutely love a 750 review at some point, as well as what others have said, a kh120mk2 review. Thank you for your time!

[Titanius]

I use these speakers in the studio paired with the Neumann sub. They translate very well and I have been impressed with them over the past couple of years.

[marcosvictor]

Perfect review, I think you're getting better with every video. Thanks for your time and effort

[ThomasKahalepuna]

Erin, call Dave at Ascend and get the rest of his line!!! Do the Sierra 2 EX V2’s PLEASE. Dave is a helluva guy and his speakers are really well made

[dsnydercnn]

Good luck with your move. Agreed that it makes no sense to use a 4 inch 2-way in a cabinet the size of the KH 80 for a far (or even mid) field application, but I appreciate you sharing your perspective and experience. Your explanations are always easy to understand. Neumann specifies a recommended listening distance of 2.5 to 6 ft, which is consistent with your evaluations.

I would welcome more studio monitor evaluations on your channel. Although professional studio monitors are purpose-built tools for tracking, mixing, and mastering, many models have crossover appeal in the consumer audio space. This is especially true for larger monitors that are designed for midfield studio use, like the Neumann KH 420 and Adam Acoustics S3V. Even robust nearfield monitors, like the Neumann KH 150 are likely suitable for 2-channel listening in smaller rooms.

Although some folks find studio monitors to be dry or analytical compared to consumer loudspeakers, if one is planning to apply DSP for digital room correction anyway, I hypothesize that studio monitors are a better place to start. They generally have lower distortion and more even off-axis behavior than consumer models. As such, they seem to take very well to EQ.

[matieuche]

Nice review. Looking forward to see the KH 150's tested ! And with MA1 room correction if possible.

[Hexspa]

Broadband absorption will help. Reading the Early Reflections Breakout, it looks like the Front Wall Bounce is most strongly contributing to the elevated treble whereas the ceiling bounce is giving that 2kHz dip. Given that it’s common for control rooms to have some acoustic treatment, judicious placement of it should help manage the far field response.

[danielezzet]

Interesting to see that those small monitors perform quite decent at 96 db, those MD and compression test are really useful

[foxgamingyt]

Now I'm curious how the KH120II and KH150 do ngl. From other measurements I've seen, they have a much better PIR, so farfield usage could be much more viable for those. Plus, they're larger, so they go fairly louder too. I would like to see how they fair in compression and multitone haha, probably really good :)

[ctcwired]

I bought KH 80s with the cal mic, and integrated them with my own subs with a miniDSP unit as well. Honestly one of the best purchases I've made in my life. Everything just sounds right. Got the exact house curve I wanted. My only complaint is Neumann's calibration software is quite clunky and limited for custom multi channel setups (I do 5.1 mastering for work). They've got a ways to go before they hit Genelec levels of software features, but they're going in the right direction. Rock solid product.

[EntropyConcept]

Hey Erin, What happened to the Tekton troubadour review?

[x-techgaming]

Nice. Their NDH 30 headphones are pretty solid.

[spdcrzy]

I SCREAMED shit!" when I saw those on-axis numbers. That is FLAT flat.

[hotdog]

15:45 I think most who have used satellites with subs know how much better the mid-low bass(but everything really) plays without full tone going through the bass membrane and box of the same speaker

[carmasine]

Hello Erin,
Thanks for the great work. Do you know why this speaker has better vertical responses/plot than other 2 way you measured like March Audio Sointuva?

[tktran]

Where do they get the maximum SPL of 108.8dB from? Interesting....

[lukabosnjak]

You know they're great when Oluv bought a pair...